Sound-based virtual keyboard, device and method
First Claim
1. A virtual input apparatus comprising:
- an array of vibration transducers; and
a signal processor connected to an output of the transducer array, an output of the signal processor providing data corresponding to a determined location of a vibration detected by the transducer array, wherein the transducer array is in contact with a sounding surface, the sounding surface transmitting the vibration detected by the transducer array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual input apparatus uses an array of transducers in contact with a sounding surface to detect a location of a sound or vibration transmitted by the sounding surface. A signal processor connected to an output of the transducer array provides data corresponding to a determined location of the vibration detected by the array. An electronic device includes a virtual keyboard that includes the array of transducers and device electronics. A method of entering data for the electronic device using the virtual keyboard includes creating a sound with a sounding surface that represents data to be entered into the electronic device by a user. The method further includes determining a point of origin of the created sound and mapping the determined point of origin into the data.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A virtual input apparatus comprising:
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an array of vibration transducers; and
a signal processor connected to an output of the transducer array, an output of the signal processor providing data corresponding to a determined location of a vibration detected by the transducer array, wherein the transducer array is in contact with a sounding surface, the sounding surface transmitting the vibration detected by the transducer array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic device comprising:
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device electronics that provide functionality and control of the electronic device; and
a virtual keyboard that comprises an array of vibration transducers, wherein the transducer array in contact with a sounding surface detects a location of a sound produced by a user of the electronic device whom is entering data, the transducer array providing a signal to the device electronics that is processed into data understood by the electronic device corresponding to data being entered by the user. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of entering data for a portable electronic device using a virtual keyboard comprising:
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creating a sound with a sounding surface, the sound representing data to be entered into the electronic device;
determining a point of origin of the created sound, the sound being transmitted from the point of origin to the virtual keyboard by the sounding surface; and
mapping the determined point of origin of the sound into the data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A virtual input apparatus for an electronic device comprising:
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means for detecting a sound; and
means for processing signals from the means for detecting, wherein a signal represents a detected sound, an output of the means for processing signals providing data corresponding to a location of the sound detected by the means for detecting, wherein the means for detecting is adjacent to a sounding surface, the sounding surface transmitting the sound detected by the means for detecting. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A virtual input apparatus for an electronic device comprising:
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an electronic device; and
means for entering virtual data into the electronic device, the means for entering being in contact with a sounding surface, wherein the virtual data is a determined location of a vibration on the sounding surface relative to the means for entering, the virtual data corresponding to actual data used by the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A virtual keyboard apparatus comprising:
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an array of vibration transducers in contact with a sounding surface, the transducer array detecting a vibration transmitted by the sounding surface; and
a signal processor connected to an output of the transducer array, the signal processor comprising a stored keyboard map, an output of the signal processor providing data that represents a key of the keyboard map, the key corresponding to a determined location of the detected vibration. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification